Do as I say, not as I do

There are certain things in life I *know*, but get wrong over and over. Like how I react to things, like how I solve things, like how I perceive things.

And try as I might to avoid it, I often end up falling into the same hole, over and over. I know it’s there, I know how to get out, or to avoid it completely, but there I am – deep in!

There’s a wonderful poem called There’s a Hole in my Sidewalk by Portia Nelson. It’s something I try go back to over and over, and each time I think “Aaah, this makes so much bloody sense”. Even if I can’t always live it. Here it is, dude. It’s a goodie. And I think it might save a whole lotta Kleenex.

Chapter One I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost …. I am helpless. It isn’t my fault. It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter Two I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend that I don’t see it. I fall in again. I can’t believe I am in this same place. But, it isn’t my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter Three I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in … it’s a habit … but, my eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.

Chapter Four I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.